Playing Catch-Up, and maybe using some Ketchup

I'm a bit tired. Don't get me wrong, because the job is still there, both mine, and the Wife's. The Wife's job is never in the dire straits mine could be though.... unless she just went hat-flip crazy. For lack of understanding mental illnesses and how they appear, I hope she never does..... in the meantime.....

No. I was referring to the possible volatile situation of my job.. Maybe volatile is not the right word. Transitional? Lucky if you found someone to do it as well? Fucking pay me what I am worth?

Yeah.

My goal (again) is to corner down my boss and talk about pay/wage, etc. One of these weeks he won't be able to avoid me, and I hope (based on past history) he is a good boss and won't screw me over. Because if he did, well, man, I don't wanna think about that.

School is in session. My HS'er is in marching band and working on the show. Youngest is now 6th grade... learning to be a percussionist. I was thinking of buying a trap set for him this Christmas, to start letting him learn his way around one, so when he gets to HS, he could jump right into Jazz.... but who knows.

My birthday is this week. More than ever, I don't care.

I know Reverend Mother and Preacher Tom will text me, early in the day, a "Happy Birthday". It is what they do. I'm sure my brother, Stuman, and sister, Sis, will do the same, though, for the past couple months, we have not been in contact. I deleted them from my facebook contacts. Let's just say, I decided all that, and the why don't matter to the general reader of this here post.

Shit happened.

Yeah, I'm dealing with the repercussions of that shit,  but it's all good! The best part, is not having to them whine about shit all the time.... though I am sure RM still has to hear it, as well about why I'm not talking to them.... blah blah blah. I don't know... just guessing. But you know oms and daughters... and moms and the baby sons..... Thank goodness I ain't one!

Tune in next time.... once I get replies from family about how " it really is " and I'll let you know!

PeacE

The Monthly Post

Geez.... seems I only am able to get one post each of the last three months. I actually cannot lie and say I have been too busy, as not much of life is going on presently. The two younger boys started back to school this last week. The oldest Son is supposedly to be getting his registration in for his second year at the local community college.... but I don't know if he has. He and his girlfriend spent last week down with the Daughter and my lil Doodad, oh, and the SIL.

Work is work. Still doing half of another person's job, and it really is starting to wear on me. My boss says if I need help to ask the other two people in my department to assist, but it is just easier for me to do it all. I have been doing it for over three years, and my system, the paperwork, etc, is just so natural to me, I am fast at it. I just feel so tired at the end of the day, and by Friday, am just beat. On the plus side, I have lost like 5 pounds or so judging by how loose my pants are getting.

I really need to try to get on here more often.... so I can ramble on about the nothing going on in my life....

PeacE

Playing Catch-Up

My buddy, THE Scotty B, is in town this weekend. Traveling in from the harsh wastelands known as Albuquerque to the heated desert called Arizona. It's been a fine two days of having some time to hang out and catch up on our lives. Needless to say, with today being Sunday, that time is drawing to a close. After an evening repast, it'll be so long until next time.

Less than a week ago we were celebrating the 4th of July .... well, some people were. Though I am appreciative of my country and its "birthday", I guess I don't really celebrate it. With all the legalities over fireworks in our desert state, it safer to just not buy any. And getting together with family for bbq or whatever, sometimes that just doesn't work out.

Work has just doubled... meaning I am doing the jobs of two people now for the unknown amount of time. After just three days of it, I'm worn out. I was going to try to get to RM's this weekend to try out a new idea about getting her pics from her iphone to her windows 10 laptop, but with friends in town, just haven't had the time. Maybe Monday after work or something.....

That's all I got today. Resting in the AC ....

PeacE

Guilt Trips

I have always stated to the Reverend Mother that guilt trips don't work om me. Shaming me doesn't work either. But after having some time to catch up on things at home, I jumped over to her blog, and now here I am writing on mine, because she pointed out it had been awhile since I last wrote here. So let's play some catch-up....

My granddaughter arrived just over two months ago. I instantly named her Doodad (my special name for her), and though The Daughter and SIL live 4 hours away, we have been able to see Doodad a few times.They happen to be here this weekend, and The Wife, The Daughter, Doodad, and myself all had a lunch together. Papaw got him some special time. I'll share pics later as I have not downloaded them from my phone yet.

Work is work. Due to some down-staffing (not by choice) some responsibilities are changing. The guy who took my old position is now dropping to a  half-time job, and will only deliver parts to the techs on the west side of town. The duties of preparing the work orders, and gathering of parts for ALL techs (his job portion) are now added back onto me, as well as having to maintain what I do now. I am hoping this will only be temporary until we fill the tech positions that were emptied, and be able to again substantiate the cost of the driver doing the full time job, and take that extra work load from me. So, this goes into effect July 10th.

The Oldest Son is looking for work. Online. Which means shit to me. I told him to get out and go to places...talk to managers, follow up with a call in a few days to see if they are still considering the position. Don't know if he will. The other two boys are just enjoying the time off from school.

So that is how life s going for me now. Rev Mom will be happy I wrote....lol!

PeacE

Nothing Yet

I woke up suddenly out of a sound sleep this morning. All because I thought I heard the phone ringing. Knowing you could get a phone call at any time saying the kids are on the way to the hospital, I have been like this for the past few nights. But as of right now, it hasn't happened. My Granddaughter just isn't ready to come into the world, I guess.

It's been a week since the Wife left to go down to Morenci and "help" out with things at the Daughter's place. The Boys have been good, and the Oldest Son has helped out a lot with getting the other two to school.

Other than that, not much going on. Hope to hear good news soon though.

PeacE

When It Is Out of My Control

Man.... The Daughter's due date is the 13th. The Wife left me on Sunday to go down there to be with her for the next two weeks. It is day Two, and I am already freaking out.

Things started out good. Got the college-aged Son, helping get the younger ones to school in the mornings, since I go to work before they even awake. First evening, I get to Grandma's house, where the kids go after school, and picked them up. Life is good.

Then I find out that Grandma's gate was hacked. The wooden gate entry to the backyard. Happened a couple months ago and the "vandals" stole some bikes (random bikes they had for parts for people that really needed them). This time, they seemingly stole nothing, that she noticed, but cut the combination lock she had on a hasp on the gate. So, as I heard it tonight, I said I would take care of it tomorrow night... evaluate the damage, find a better hasp, install, and asked her preference for a lock. I got her answer, and that's the plan for tomorrow after work.

Called the Wife, who is is down with the Daughter for the next two weeks.... Grand-daughter is due Thursday, and from  text from the Wife, the whole dilation/blah blah blah... she seems to be on track. Cool. If so, she'll have the baby before the weekend, and as I try to book a hotel somewhere within 50 miles of where they live, it could be good, but I have to wait until tomorrow night, according to the phone call I just had with my Wife, who was mad because they were watching"Finding Dory" and was pissed I called. Inconsiderates. Even after I reminded her, I don't handle things well with her not here... like my sleeping. I got maybe 3 hours last night. Two weeks to go. Yee Fucking Haw.

I'm excited about my first Grandchild. I know it to be a girl. Doesn't matter to me. Can't wait to hold her in my arms....

Until then, I work. Adjust schedules with the boys, picking up/dropping off for events (if any), grocery shopping for Grandma, and anything else she is not able to do. More work than my usual weekly.

But, it is all good. Busy as Hell, but all for a Good reason.

PeacE

Some Weeks Just Suck

I had barely started work when Sis texted me that my Grandpa had passed that morning. Great start to a Monday. I am mixed with emotions even now as to what I should be feeling. Sad, obviously as a bit of grieving is in order. Happy, because he has moved on to be with Dad, Grandma, and Uncle Earl, plus the stress the uncles were under in with him at the retirement manor, managing things, etc. Needless to say, I was not planning on flying back to Indiana for the funeral, which is this weekend. Sis and Stuman are going.

Of course, today is Tuesday, and let's throw another zinger my way! Tonight on the way home from work, my check engine light came on, flashing. Felt a stuttering-type through the car (I was on the highway doing 60'ish). For a few miles I debated pulling over and shutting it off, but was worried if I did, I would not be able to re-start the car. So, may not have been the brightest thing, but I exited the freeway and took surface streets headed to my area of town. At red lights I had to shift into neutral due to some rough idling. Plus every time I accelerated, the flashing engine light would pop back on, but go off when decelerating, or at a stop. I took it ton the local Pep Boys, as they did the last work I had done (water pump). Their mechanics had just left for the day (yeah... just left) and they couldn't/wouldn't look at it until 7am tomorrow. So I had to leave it. Good thing Oldest son was able to pick me up and get me home.

Once home, I probably did another not so smart thing. I looked up on the internet what could be some possible issues with the flashing check engine light... and I was amazed at the array of issues. From carbon build-up in the cylinders, to mis-firing cylinders, catalytic issues, O2 sensor issues, lose connections in the injectors/wire/plugs, bad plugs, and of course stories about having to remove the heads and .... Now I feel more worried. And I have to take a personal day as I have no way to work tomorrow....

Here's an update with some good .... Boss just called me. He can get me to work, and either get me home, or can catch a ride with the parts driver (my old job). So now I don't have to waste a day not going to work.

Now if I could quit worrying about the car, ease the grief of losing a buddy and a Grandpa, and just chill tonight... that would be great

PeacE

Adjusting Just Fine

I've been in my new position at work now for nearly a month now. Things are going well. I think I have adjusted pretty well to the earlier hours. Enough that at least when I can sleep in, I still wake up around 5am without the alarm. This last week was seemingly long due to the parts driver (my previous position) was out two days, and the other gal I work with also was out two days. But I think I handled things pretty good even have to do more than my job position.

Was out last night to a pub I had not been to in awhile. Found out one of the guys I played softball with many years ago had committed suicide just the other day. He was one heck of a nice guy, and loved his twin boys very much. Still hard to believe he just walked out in the parking lot and put a bullet in his head. I'm a bit baffled by it all. Another friend was saying that there were some depression issues going on, but I had not seen the him for at least a couple years.... so would have had no clue about that.

Another friend of mine has been diagnosed with ALS, and given a remainder of life time of 3-6 months. My buddy Jan flew out last weekend to Illinois to be with Bill, the one with ALS. Together they were going to travel to the Football Hall of Fame in Ohio for a one last road trip together.

Received a phone call Thursday I think it was.... or maybe Friday, morning. Seems my Grandpa is not doing well. Grandma had passed away back in January. Seems he isn't eating and has caught some sort of virus. Doctors say it is similar to the symptoms he had a couple years ago with a bout of pneumonia. Only this time they are not sure if he will be able to fight it off. Without Grandma there, he may just lose the will to continue on.

On the plus side, the Daughter is due in just over three weeks. The Wife is going down to their place for two weeks nearer the due date. Thank goodness I have the Older Son to help get the boys to school. I imagine several days of eating out during those two weeks. Or several Ramen noodle nights....

PeacE

Learning How to Feel Old

I have transitioned into the new job pretty well. Getting up at 4:30 in the morning, well before the sun rises was a big change from the previous 10 am awakenings. Makes me feel a bit like some old, retired person going to bed at 9-10pm so I can get enough sleep though. And it feels so weird getting home by 4pm....

Life in general hasn't been bad. The Daughter is still due mid-April, and will be up in the Valley next weekend for her baby shower. The Boys are behaving and doing fine in school. Leaves me sitting here thinking I really don't have much to write about. I guess I'm going to have to get opinionated on political topics just to have content (probably not good) to post about here.....

But not today.... I;m off to watch a movie.

PeacE

Is He Any Good?

Tonight, the new guy said he was ready to go solo - meaning, I was riding along. Personally I was happy. Though I checked in with him via text/calls as needed. A couple mish-mashes... but easily corrected,

I have a weekend ahead of me, one where the very pregnant daughter is in town. I see them spending more money. Mostly, I don't care, but want more things saying "Grandpa", or, as I choose because of how I was raised, "Papaw". Kid is due in mid-April, and I dunno what to do. They live like 4 hour drive from us.

I'm done tonight. This transition to day-shift, and time.... Give me a week or two.

PeacE

Third Day of New Guy

I hate training people!

I'm ready to kill myself. Aside from the fact I have to hold myself from jumping in and doing the job quicker, he is REALLY slow. The supposed 'transistion' of reading information, and marking it on a sheet, is his slowest work. Reading anything, he admits, is bad for him because he has a hard time transposing it, into either a check mark, or to just confirmed he looked at it (like scratching a name off a list).

Tonight, I let him take the 16 foot box truck home. Meaning I got home about an hour before he did, because he dropped me off. Tomorrow, since I don't have to pick him up, I am going in early, not to maybe start training a bit about my new position, but to talk to my boss. I KNOW I am not the best judge of who can do this job.....I'm more worried about how this guy may not be the best one hired for it.

Feel somewhat bad for the kid, but, gotta have someone competent to do the job, and I don't think he is. Which could bring it all back to me doing that job until the company finds some one. Sigh. I don't want that. Deal with stupid shit, and then be asked to go back when he can't do the job? Fuck.

Right now I hate Life.

PeacE

So That New Guy....

Here I am all excited there is a hire for my replacement. Transition looking good. I just finished my second day with him. I'm putting my head in a hole, like an ostrich, but the hole is Hellfire and will scorch the life out of me. This guy is not a COMPLETE idiot, but, as I will speak to the Boss tomorrow, he has a hard time grasping the idea of this particular job.

The driving part, he had his first night driving today. Wasn't bad. I showed him last night, gave him addresses of the stops, so tonight was not bad. But it is that part before driving. The making sure you have "ALL the work orders for parts, and ALL the parts for those that we deliver to, PLUS the guys we don't" thing. He actually admitted to me, that his is extremely slow about reading something, and transposing to another form.... such as, reading a part number, and marking it on an inventory sheet that you took it out, which is basically a "check mark" that, yes, you pulled it out. But he says he has a hard time with it.

I consider myself of mild intelligence. This job, in my opinion, is too flipping easy for the regular person. I understand a slower time as you adapt to the job, finding out how things work, where they are, etc.... but this guy.... I don't know. I feel I have no choice but to share how I feel with my boss. AND if they decide to let this guy go, how long until they find another... and that puts me back to doing the job, preventing me from getting to where we (as a company) need me to be.

I really want this guy to work, but .... after two days, I don't think he has it. I got to tell my Boss that tomorrow.

Oh, Yee Haw.

PeacE

With Hope, Possible Replacement

So ... got a new guy, to replace me today. Starting today. As any newbie, walking into something with no knowledge. In a way, that's good. No prior, we can train him into the ways we do things. It is only Day One for him, an d I did my best to not overload with info. Kept it simple to what we dealt with this day. Explained those well (in my opinion). Also said there will be other things that come up, and we will work through them. I will be there to help, as he learns the position, even if I am not on the drive.

So, my next few days are instruction. Maybe I learned things faster, or easier. Giving him a buffer. not everyone can grasp things as I do.... or as fast.

My worst thought, is if he does not work out. Do I need to go back to doing that job if he doesn't?

Trust me. I am doing my best to hope he holds the job. He may need a couple more days than I did, but I don't care. I'm teaching him the best I know.

We will see in next few days what happens.

PeacE

What Ya See...

It is an early Monday. By that I mean like 3am. Heh. I did the bar. I also did with a good friend, coming in from North Dakota.

Does it make it right? I don't care.

I hate we did the late night,but loved having the time, He has impressed me with what he has accomplished. A great guy.

I'm not trying to sound like anyone, but my buddy has done good. I just can't say. And I asked him, about other things.

Like, see a beggar on the street. Whether begging for donations for a funeral, or whatever. Don't give. The beggar at the freeway exit? Don't give.

Here in AZ, we see many of those circumstances. Literally. So how do you choose to help?

One word,"Help", because, not one word, or the act of one person, can change the society we live in. BUT *one* person can change how it is dealt with.

I'm sure it does not make sense the way I type it it ....but... think about it.

PeacE

Looking Forward To Free Time

We have a possible replacement for me! I guess the Boss interviewed someone yesterday morning, and that person is to contact him back today as to accepting the position or not. I'm trying to not get overly hopeful, because no idea if there are other possible applicants waiting if this one does not accept. And if he does, I still don't know a start date as of yet. Hopefully will only  have to do this maybe a week longer.... Like I said, trying to not get my hopes up just in case.

Other than that, Life is. Working on replacing the whole back fence, that had been partially destroyed by the fire back in December. Also decided to buy a shed versus the idea of the Wife and Son building one from scratch. I did agree that it could be a pre-fab one, that still needs to be assembled.

I have been lucky to not have caught the cold/flu bug that has been around the office a couple times already (knock on wood). However, my allergies have cropped up pretty bad. This last week has been a pain with the watering eyes and runny nose. With all the rain we had last month, everything is growing and blooming in this mid-70's weather. More rain expected tomorrow, so more growth... longer allergy season. Oh boy.

Free time. Seems like I don't have much with the hours I work now. But with this new shift change, though I will be going to bed earlier, it still gives me more time to do things I want to do. Like, see my family. Go to kids' school functions. Have dinner out besides a Saturday/Sunday. Go shopping if I need something, other than from Wal-mart. Yeah. I know there are many other things, too...

Guess I should head into work a bit early today. Have quite a bit of trash to clean out of the truck before a new guy starts....

PeacE

No Idea

Still waiting the replacement for my position.

I noticed today, that others have to fill the vacancy, because they have not filled it. I was asked, did you ask the boss, if he had people. I admitted I had not. when I came in, he was in closed door meetings.

I, as well as others, would be splendid if we could could fill that position quickly. Lord knows I wanna do the better job sooner.

...and so we wait.

PeacE

Let's Call It Stress

Aside from yesterday's outburst (which I am still pissed about), they say Life moves on.

Still awaiting to be assigned to me new position. I know I have to wait until the have a replacement driver for my current position, but this is shit. Management said 2 Tuesdays ago, they were wanting to move me up. This past Tuesday, they said they finally put an ad out. Huh? Who puts an ad in the paper, that no one gets anymore? And we already lost a week. This position is one I cannot leave without making the Boss do more personal involvement. I am not happy.

The guy I replace has been "in training" for the last week plus, and I believe the person he is replacing is leaving at the end of this week. Which means, everyone else is going to have to do double-duty, meaning overtime pay, to cover it all. I already said I won't work 14 hour days just to cover the basics of both positions. I love the overtime, but, my God..... 14 hours plus a day, 5-plus days a week? I'm young at 45, but even I could not do that.

It is what it is, and the company will have to adjust to what they have to between needs, and availability to fill it. And there ain't no one jumping to help. Yeah... typical company where everyone is about themselves.

Other than that, Life is. Got kids trying to say they are sick to avoid school, when they aren't. Got kids sick, and shouldn't go to school. Trying to replace the back fence that got burned out in the fire we had, plus re-building a shed structure. And replace fence structures torn down during the fire, and maybe a gateway, that needed to be repaired/replaced.

I'm tapped for awhile. I'll probably bitch more than anything, but some is better than none. Oh, and let me add, the Wife heard a "clunk" loudly in her driver side door of the minivan tonight. She's scared to use the controls to roll down the window, thinking it might be the noise. Note - we have replaced the window motor before (on my own) and the window is up, though she has not tried to use the motor controls since hearing the noise. I told her to wait for Saturday, when I have daylight to see if there is an issue.

Delayed for a couple days. Works for me. Plus I got all that fencing in the backyard, and forgot to buy posts.... no idea when I, or we, will get to that, but we need more material.

Starting to feel overwhelmed.

Peace

It is 1am And I Am Pissed!

I spent the last thirty minutes trying to log into blogger, which is linked to my Google account. I have only accessed this from my desktop at home, however, tonight it would not let me. had to do some kind of phone verification. I said yes. I immediately got a text, saying to say yes if it was me, so I did. And waited. Nothing on my desktop, nothing on my phone. Did the same process like 5 times, in about twice that span.

Nothing.

Sent a comment to Google about how this was not needed before, and how I am logging in from the only device (my desktop) that I ever have for Google, let alone Blogger, surely in their God-ness, could see that....

There were like 5 options. I finally did the one with email, which within like 15 seconds I had one, and I entered a code (which being online at the desktop automatically moved to the code entery screen), and was able to throw out my drivel.

But now I am so pissed I had to do this process, that took 10 minutes to figure out how to get to this spot, I forgot that exciting things I was going to share. Instead, you get anger.

I understand protecting accounts. Glad it was in effect for mine. Did I need it? No. If I were hacked would I care? No. You would read some drivel by someone else, and unless they were drunker than I was, you would probably never know.

Fuck Google.

PeacE

Sometimes Good Things Happen

I got a job "promotion" in the last few days. I use those quote marks loosely. I'm moving from a job that relies on delivering parts, in the evening hours, to one where I order the same. Lots to learn. And adjusting to the "new" hours.... yeah. late nights are gone. So in theory, are the drunk posts here. Again, pro and con.

In the meantime, still doing the job. I have to, until we get a replacement.

So How about Trump?

Good? Bad?

My opinion, coulda been worse. I have no offense about any Executive Order he has made. I agree some would have been better with some more explanation, but.... for the most part, I agree (though I admit, I don't follow politics alot, so I could be way off).

Yeah, I'm thinking about the date night my Wife wants to do. I told her tonight, that I am very un-original about ideas. Told her to pick whatever she  wants to do, and we'd do our best to do it, with or without  a dinner after. So an early afternoon thing, may not get dinner. I told her I needed to know by tomorrow, so I could plan. Like the burials if she wants to skydive, because I told her no way in hell was I going to do that. She laughed. Fricking demons.

Life is.... life. We all have it.

PeacE

Another Late Nighter...

It's true. I just came home from the pub. Words may not be spelled correctly, but ... I'll try my best.

Just got a job promotion ... of sorts. Instead of just prepping the parts for all techs for the next day, and delivering to about seven of them. I am going to be "in shop" and helping ordering, will-call, etc. I just need to wait for them to hire my replacement, and my short training time with them. It is a major shift for me, meaning, instead of going to work at noon, I now need to shift to like 6am. it'll be an adjustment, but I get to leave work at like 3-3:30, so I have evenings now. I have not had a chance to see any of my kids' concerts/plays/etc unless it goes on a Saturday for the last three years. I know ... pros and cons... but we all love to see our kids perform, music, theater, whatever, even if we don;t like it, we know the kids are in it.

Yeah. Some that means some life changes. I can make Happy Hour now! LOL! also means a major adjustment to my sleep schedule. The Company is compensating for the lack of a vehicle and gas card, in a 90-day probationary period, and I okayed that. I just recently got a nice raise. Between that and a larger one in 90 days, I was okay.

Not bad for one without any college.

I know I am not the money-maker of my family. But after almost three years of this job, at least I can get back to seeing my family, before they go to bed.

The Wife and I agree this is all good. and after 90-days probationary (for the new position) I am looking at another increase (even though I just got a raise). It is deserved, and if they didn't offer more, I wouldn't take it. More "involved and meticulous work". That's how I explained it, though I know half the job already.

Sounds like a good day. Let's end on that note.

PeacE

And Just Another Thing ....

It's after 3am... and I am eating cold left-overs (which are good, mind you) and dealing with deliberation.

I posted early on Friday,about he start of the day. Little did I know the Boss would call me into the office. I had just finished a nice breakfast at Dennys, and was fueling up the truck, when I was called. Said I as about 15 mins away. I was in his office in 12, but he just smiled.

In my head, thinking, what did I do wrong, or what was wrong that I get in trouble...? Neither. He offered me a regular daytime position in the parts dept.

The Wife and I are still discussing details.

I'm feeling too old to do some of the stuff I do. The Wife won't see this. Yeah..... long talks,

PeacE

Getting Funky With the Dumb Monkey

I went to the pub tonight. Mostly to meet up with one of my good buddies, as he finished playing competitive pool at another close-by location. I had not had a chance to 'hang out' with him in awhile, so we made time tonight. And it was good.

After.... the brother got in touch with me. It was late, but being the person I am, I went to hang out at his place. I love my brother.

Now it is 5am, and I have to head to work in less than an hour for a meeting, that has nothing to do with me, more than likely.

But I enjoyed that time with my brother. Tried to tell him, but he couldn't wrap his head around it.....


Sometimes life sucks. And I still have to answer to my Wife.. for tonight. Somebody call/pray for me.

PeacE

Negligence My Middle Name

I have been bad about blogging. When I was employed, prior, I had time to do it from work. Followed by a time I was unemployed. There was lots of time for me to share  But in the last, let's call it this, three years, it has been few and far between.

Does that bother you? Do you live vicariously through me?One of my best friends would always "spout" that to me, He was about fifteen years older than I, but we shared years of softball, and OTL, and ,....stuff. That was his comment. He passed a couple years ago.

April. That month I am expecting my first grandkid. The Daughter is due around the middle of April. She lives about a 4 hour drive from me, and I am trying to figure out ... everything. The Wife wants to be there for it. So do I... But, I got two kids in school that week, and though the college-aged kid could handle it. with help from my MIL, it is still quite a bit. Sigh.

The foot is almost healed completely. Still have a scab that gets smaller, but have noticed I have some nerve damage. The three toes between the large, and the pinky, experience sharp pains, randomly, throughput a day, and sometimes not felt for a few, then  several episodes. Not debilitating, but enough to notice. A bit more pain than the arthritis gives me.

Grandma's funeral went well, which I traveled back for earlier this month. Was good to see family that I had not seen in a long while, and though Grandpa seemed to be doing better, honestly not sure how long that may last. I am unable financially to do another trip if he were to pass soon, as well. In some ways, it rips my heart. I am the III, my son id the IV, and Grandpa is the Sr. But I have no choice.

Doom, Gloom, and Death have been on my mind more than I want of late. Understandably so.

Peace

Time Flies .... No It Doesn't

I guess it has been awhile since I posted. A bit over three months ago was the last one. I would love to take the time and share all the fun stuff I have been doing, and post pictures of where I have been traveling to/from. But, I haven't been traveling (to exotic or to places other than work, or hospital). I haven't had tons of fun, like being on a beach in some tropical, all-inclusive resort. No, mostly just been doing LIFE.

But over the past three months, there have been some events going on I am able to share ... which means I probably am going to, so if you don't want to be really bored, quit reading.

I found out that I am going to be a Grandpa! The Daughter and SIL are expecting their first in April of 2017. In November, an ultrasound revealed that they are 90% sure it will be a girl. Just this past weekend, they shared the name they have decided on for her. The first one I didn't recognize, but the middle is the same as the Wife's first name. The kids had decided some weird thing about including grandparent names in whatever way to get the child's name. I just said whatever. I'll end up calling her some nickname I make up anyways. Heck, the boys around here are Buddy, Booger and Monkeybutt. I'm sure I'll figure out one for her when she arrives.

Thanksgiving went fine. We had gone over to the SIL's parents home for lunch, bringing my MIL along as well. Then the day after, we shared another meal with my parents. Then earl.y December, we had a fire. Saturday around 2am, our middle son woke us up with "Mom, Dad .... the shed is on fire". I went tearing through the house and out the back barefooted. Our wood shed was completely engulfed in flame, as well a portion of our back wooden fence. Fire department was called and arrived, in time to have the electric line to our house burn through. Somehow through the mad dash I did to the back yard, and trying to hose down the fire (which was pointless with a garden hose - as I couldn't get within 20 feet of the blaze) I ended up slicing the arch of my right foot, as well as de-gloving completely the little toe of the same foot. That means I had a 2 1/5" gash and a little toe that had skin ripped off of it from the base of the toe, over the tip to the nail. I was so pumped with adrenaline, the Wife finally asked if I was cut as she saw spots of blood (as big as the gash) around the cement at the front door/driveway area, where we were waiting for the Fire Dept to finish. After FD had left, the power company was able to restore a line of power tot he house within a couple hours, but the phone line had been burnt/fused so we had no Internet/phone at the house. While power was being restored, the Wife took me to the ER, and I ended up with eight stitches in the foot. I was told to stay off it for minimum of a week, and then gradually start walking on it. Yeah right. I called my boss, and explained it would hopefully only be a couple days and I would try to be back in to work. Need less to say, it took 4 days to even be able to get a shoe on, and I was off work that whole week. As of today, the stitches were removed a couple weeks ago, and it has scabbed over pretty well. I have barely a limp when I walk, though with the thick scab, it feels like a pebble in the arch when I step on it. A couple more weeks and I hope it goes with the scab. Overall, we lost the shed, and about 20 or so feet of wooden fence. And my injury. The house and everyone else was fine. Phone services were restored by Tuesday. Official conclusion by the fire inspector is "unconfirmed source" as to the cause. However, and the inspector was aware of this as well, the neighbor behind us, who's chain-link fence abuts our wooden one, had two clay "ovens" (made of clay, with a round-ish body, and a chimney that people use sort of like a backyard fireplace) right next to the fence, and the chimneys had soot on them. Meaning they had been used. Though the inspector was not able to check them out, as they were on other property, and I am sure that neighbor was not allowing them access. So, we are int he process of figuring what kind of shed we will get to replace the one, as well as fencing options. The Wife wants block, but the cost.....

Christmas came and went. I scored pretty good on summer sausages and T-shirts. There were fewer presents as everyone is pretty hard to shop for, my family or the extended families. The Boys have gotten older, and their tastes more expensive, but I think overall everyone was satisfied. We did the usual home, MIL, then my parents trips that day, ending with lunch at Reverend Mother's. New Year's eve we just stayed home, as well as NYD. Sis invited everyone over for NYD lunch, but I had declined as we had tentative plans that didn't work out.

So not much has been going on. Waiting on the oldest Son to figure out his classes for the spring semester at the local community college so we can pay the fees. The other two boys return to school on Monday, I believe. Had a nice free breakfast this morning where the boss treated. We were going to have a small meeting with the techs, but of the seven, only one showed. Their loss. Either way I am killing time before I actually need to head to work. At least another hour plus before that time comes.

PeacE